By TARA HETTINGER
Sherry Thompson watched with tears in her eyes as she waved on each of the approximately 35 groups participating in the parade to start their trek down Utica’s streets.
“A lot of work goes into it, but I love the ending,” Thompson said, pausing. “It gives me goosebumps.”
The parade kicked off Utica’s Historic Homecoming Saturday — an annual event put on by Utica Preservation and organized by Thompson. The tradition started in 1995 and has been going on every year, with the exception of one in the 1990s due to a major flood, Thompson said.
“This is just to open up the gates in Utica for people to see what a beautiful community we are and what beautiful people we have here,” she said.
Residents and visitors lined the streets to watch the parade and collect candy from those throwing it from floats.
Melvin Casey, who drives a 1956 Ford Thunderbird, has driven someone in the parade for the last several years.
“It’s nice. I’m amazed they have such a great turnout for such a small community,” Casey said. “It’s like a homecoming. Everybody wants to come back.”
That was true for 79-year-old B.J. Worthington and her son, 58-year-old James. B.J. lived in the area for decades before moving out just two years ago to Jeffersonville. James grew up in the area, but later moved to Seymour.
“I try to come back for this every year,” James said. “I like it. I get to see a lot of people I don’t get to see very often.”
“I come every year,” B.J. said. “I look forward to it.”
Hollie Long has lived in the area for nine years, but this was her first time coming to the event.
“I have a 3-year-old now who can enjoy it,” she said. “She loves being around everybody and the entertainment.”
The parade, which was in memory of “Ham” Thompson — Sherry’s husband who passed away earlier this year, was just a kick-off to a day filled with events, including a car show, baby contest, cornhole tournament and more.
Sherry said this is her last year organizing the event.
“I’m retiring. I’m going to help in the background, not in the foreground,” she said.
With this year’s event over, she said it is bittersweet.
“It’s sad in a way, but it feels good to be history,” she said.
